Casper Ruud scores first win over Carlos Alcaraz

Casper Ruud started the ATP Finals in Turin with a win. The Norwegian defeated world no. 3 Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 7-5 in the first round-robin match of their group, earning 200 ATP points and gaining confidence. Casper and Carlos met for the fifth time, and the lower-ranked player celebrated for the first time, making a notable comeback in the second set and rattling off five games en route to the trophy. Alcaraz made a terrible start before improving his game in the second set. He looked good at forcing a decider but faded from the court in the decisive moments, diminishing his chances of reaching the semi-final. Carlos is most likely not feeling well physically, with Casper wishing him to recover at the net.

Casper’s numbers against Carlos

Ruud outplayed Alcaraz behind the first and second serve and took charge in the decisive moments. The Norwegian fended off all five break points in the opening set and lost serve once in the second. On the other hand, the Spaniard played against four break points and failed to defend any, dropping 43% of the points in his games despite four flawless holds in set number two. Casper tamed his strokes nicely, finishing the duel with 16 winners and ten unforced errors. Carlos added 25 direct points and 26 mistakes, spraying them from both wings. World no. 3 hit only 15 service winners and struggled from the baseline. They stayed neck and neck in the mid-range and most advanced rallies, and the Norwegian took charge in the shortest ones up to four strokes.

Ruud makes a flying start

Casper faced two break points in the first game of the encounter, with Carlos netting a routine backhand on the second. The Norwegian completed the third game with a service winner and made a push on the return in the next one. The Spaniard sprayed a forehand error, losing serve at 15 and propelling his opponent in front. Ruud had to work hard to cement the lead, facing three break points in the fifth game and denying them to open a 4-1 advantage. Struggling to impose his strokes, Alcaraz missed another forehand in the sixth game, losing serve at 15 and falling 5-1 behind. Casper served for the first set in game seven and landed an ace for a hold at love and 6-1 in 35 minutes.

Casper overcomes a 5-2 deficit in the second set and wins

They served well in the opening five games of the second set, with Carlos performing much better than in the opener. He fired a forehand crosscourt winner in the sixth game for a break chance and landed a volley winner for his only return game. World no. 3 painted another forehand winner in the seventh game, closing it in style and moving 5-2 ahead. The Spaniard served for the set at 5-3 and played a loose game, netting a backhand to drop serve at 15 and keep his rival in contention. Ruud grabbed the tenth game at love for 5-5 and welcomed a massive forehand error from his opponent in the next one for a break chance. Casper landed a deep return, causing Carlos’ mistake and delivering his second straight break that sent him 6-5 in front. The Norwegian served for the win in game 12 and squandered two match points. He drew the Spaniard’s mistake for the third and converted it with an ace for a notable victory at the beginning of the tournament.